10,622. You never were obliged to fish for any particular person?-No.
10,623. And you never were obliged to take your goods from any particular shop?-No.
Baltasound, Unst, January 19, 1872, DAVID EDMONSTONE, examined.
10,624. What are you?-I am factor on the Buness estate, and a farmer.
10,625. I understand you have had a great deal of experience of business in Shetland?-Yes. I was nine years in business as a fish-merchant, and I have lived in Shetland all my life, with the exception of a year or two.
[Page 259]
10,626. Were you the writer of a letter which was quoted in the evidence given in Edinburgh, Q. 44,511-Yes.
10,627. Do you still retain the same opinions as are stated in that letter?-I do.
10,628. Do you think it is a correct statement at this time, that the people do not receive in money one-fiftieth of their earnings?-In the way I look at it, I think that statement is correct, because I hold that when there is only a settlement once a year, in January or February, and the man gets his balance then, that is not a cash payment in any sense of the word.
10,629. You mean that it is only a cash payment so far as the balance is handed over to him?-Yes; and that he has not got cash for fish or any other produce during the season.